Serum epidermal growth factor concentrations in healthy men

Authors

Keywords:

Epidermal growth factor, healthy volunteers, men, epidermal growth factor

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the documented importance of epidermal growth factor in health, tiny information is available on its serum concentrations.

Objective: To describe the behaviour of serum epidermal growth factor.

Methods: Cross-sectional observational and analytical study in apparently healthy male subjects selected by simple random sampling from a group of blood donors. Commercial UMELISA-EGF® kits were used. The variables used were: sex, age, weight, blood group and serum EGF concentration. Percentages and arithmetic means were used as summary measures. Statistical significance was tested using Pearson's chi-squared test or Welch's t-test with α= 0.05. A univariate strategy was used to calculate odds ratios.

Results: Serum EGF levels of 507.54±155.69 pg/mL were observed in 32 subjects with a mean age and weight of 34.6±3.82 years and 74.3±3.93 kg, predominantly blood groups O+ (46.87%) and A+ (28.12%). The probability of finding EGF levels below 100 pg/mL was higher in subjects <30 years than in those ≥30 years (OR=4.2 CI_95%: 0.8783-3.9599; p=0.0007). The probability of finding EGF levels below 870 pg/mL is higher in A+ than in O+ subjects (OR=4 CI_95%: 0.6840-4.8739; p=0.0171).

Conclusions: There is evidence of a putative association between serum EGF levels and A+ and O+ blood groups, with an apparent inverse association with body weight. The variability of serum EGF concentrations decreases with increasing age.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Héctor José Pérez Hernández, Hospital Provincial Saturnino Lora. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Hospital Provincial Saturnino Lora. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Danay Saavedra Hernández, Centro de Inmunología Molecular. La Habana, Cuba.

Centro de Inmunología Molecular. La Habana, Cuba.

Tania Crombet Ramos, Centro de Inmunología Molecular. La Habana, Cuba.

Centro de Inmunología Molecular. La Habana, Cuba.

References

1. Noh SS, Shin HJ. Role of Virus-Induced EGFR Trafficking in Proviral Functions [Internet]. Biomolecules. 2023; 13(12): 1766. DOI: 10.3390/biom13121766

2. Levantini E, Maroni G, Del Re M, Tenen DG. EGFR signaling pathway as therapeutic target in human cancers [Internet]. Seminars in cancer biology. 2022; 85: 253-275. DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.04.002

3. Sabbah DA, Hajjo R, Sweidan K. Review on Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Structure, Signaling Pathways, Interactions, and Recent Updates of EGFR Inhibitors [Internet]. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry. 2020; 20(10): 815-34. DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200303123102

4. Feng J, Hu Z, Xia X, Liu X, Lian Z, Wang H, et al. Feedback activation of EGFR/wild-type RAS signaling axis limits KRASG12D inhibitor efficacy in KRASG12D-mutated colorectal cancer [Internet]. Oncogene. 2023; 42(20): 1620-33. DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02676-9

5. Tarvestad-Laise KE, Ceresa BP. Modulating Growth Factor Receptor Signaling to Promote Corneal Epithelial Homeostasis [Internet]. Cells. 2023; 12(23): 2730. DOI: 10.3390/cells12232730

6. Patnaik SK, Chandrasekar MJN, Nagarjuna P, Ramamurthi D, Swaroop AK. Targeting of ErbB1, ErbB2, and their Dual Targeting Using Small Molecules and Natural Peptides: Blocking EGFR Cell Signaling Pathways in Cancer: A Mini-Review [Internet]. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry. 2022; 22(22): 2831-46. DOI: 10.2174/1389557522666220512152448

7. Murphrey MB, Quaim L, Rahimi N, Varacallo M. Biochemistry, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing; 2023. [acceso: 31/10/2024]. Disponible en: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482459/

8. Torres-Castro P, Grases-Pintó B, Abril-Gil M., Castell M, Rodríguez-Lagunas M, Pérez-Cano J, et al. Modulation of the Systemic Immune Response in Suckling Rats by Breast Milk TGF-β2, EGF and FGF21 Supplementation [Internet]. Nutrients. 2020; 12(6): 1888. DOI: 10.3390/nu12061888

9. Turner JM, George P, Lansing M, Slim G, Wizzard PR, Nation P, Brubaker PL, Wales PW. In the Short-term, Milk Fat Globule Epidermal Growth Factor-8 Causes Site-specific Intestinal Growth in Resected Piglets [Internet]. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. 2020; 71(4):543-9. DOI:10.1097/MPG.0000000000002818

10. Carpenter G, Cohen S. Epidermal growth factor [Internet]. Annu Rev Biochem. 1979 [acceso: 31/10/2023];48(1):193-216. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/382984/

11. da Rocha JF, Bastos L, Domingues SC, Bento AR, Konietzko U, da Cruz E Silva O. AB, Vieira SI. APP Binds to the EGFR Ligands HB-EGF and EGF, Acting Synergistically with EGF to Promote ERK Signaling and Neuritogenesis [Internet]. Molecular neurobiology. 2021; 58(2):668-88. DOI:10.1007/s12035-020-02139-2

12. Leblanc JA, Sugiyama MG, Antonescu CN, Brown AI. Quantitative modeling of EGF receptor ligand discrimination via internalization proofreading [Internet]. Physical biology. 2023; 20(5): 056008. DOI:10.1088/1478-3975/aceecd

13. Liu S, Wang Y, Han Y, Xia W, Zhang L, Xu S, et al. EREG-driven oncogenesis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma exhibits higher sensitivity to Erlotinib therapy [Internet]. Theranostics. 2020 [acceso: 31/10/2023];10(23):10589-605. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32929368/

14. Pascarelli, S, Merzhakupova D, Uechi GI, Laurino P. Binding of single-mutant epidermal growth factor (EGF) ligands alters the stability of the EGF receptor dimer and promotes growth signaling [Internet]. The Journal of biological chemistry. 2021; 297(1): 100872. DOI:10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100872

15. Sperrhacke M, Leitzke S, Ahrens B, Reiss K. Breakdown of Phospholipid Asymmetry Triggers ADAM17-Mediated Rescue Events in Cells Undergoing Apoptosis [Internet]. Membranes. 2023; 13(8):720. DOI:10.3390/membranes13080720

16. Cheng W-L, Feng P-H, Lee K-Y, Chen K-Y, Sun W-L, Van Hiep N, et al. The role of EREG/EGFR pathway in tumor progression. [Internet]. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 [acceso: 31/10/2023];22(23):12828. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34884633/

17. Greten FR, Grivennikov SI. Inflammation and cancer: Triggers, mechanisms, and consequences [Internet]. Immunity. 2019 [31/10/2023]; 51(1):27-41. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31315034/

18. Cuesta AM, Palao N, Bragado P, Gutierrez-Uzquiza A, Herrera B, Sánchez A, Porras A. New and Old Key Players in Liver Cancer [Internet]. International journal of molecular sciences. 2023; 24(24):17152. DOI:10.3390/ijms242417152

19. Kalinowski A, Galen BT, Ueki IF, Sun Y, Mulenos A, Osafo-Addo A, et al. Respiratory syncytial virus activates epidermal growth factor receptor to suppress interferon regulatory factor 1-dependent interferon-lambda and antiviral defense in airway epithelium [Internet]. Mucosal Immunol. 2018 [31/10/2023];11(3):958-67. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29411775/

20. Lu J, Xing H, Wang C, Tang M, Wu C, Ye F, et al. Mpox (formerly monkeypox): pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment [Internet]. Signal transduction and targeted therapy. 2023; 8(1):458. DOI:10.1038/s41392-023-01675-2

21. Murphrey MB, Quaim L, Varacallo M. Biochemistry, epidermal growth factor receptor [Internet]. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing; 2023. [31/10/2023]. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29494066/

22. Akkus G, Sert M. Diabetic foot ulcers: A devastating complication of diabetes mellitus continues non-stop in spite of new medical treatment modalities [Internet]. World journal of diabetes. 2022;13(12):1106-1121. DOI:10.4239/wjd.v13.i12.1106

23. Özker E. Intralesional epidermal growth factor therapy in recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers [Internet]. J Wound Care. 2023 [31/10/2023]; 32(Sup4):S14-21. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37029977/

24. Ilkeli E, Fb GD, Duzgun AC, Arabaci H, Uysal A, Kanko M. Intralesional epidermal growth factor for diabetic foot ulcers [Internet]. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2022 [31/10/2023]; 32(3):278-82. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35148575/

25. Holbro T. The ErbB receptors and their role in cancer progression [Internet]. Exp Cell Res. 2003 [31/10/2023];284(1):99-110. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12648469/

26. Uhlen M, Oksvold P, Fagerberg L, Lundberg E, Jonasson K, Forsberg M, et al. Towards a knowledge-based Human Protein Atlas [Internet]. Nature Biotecnology. 2010;28:1248-50. DOI: 10.1038/nbt1210-1248

27. Kalinina O, Golovkin A, Zaikova E, Aquino A, Bezrukikh V, Melnik O, et al. Cytokine storm signature in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 [Internet]. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 [31/10/2023];23(16):8879. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36012146/

28. Meybosch S, De Monie A, Anné C, Bruyndonckx L, Jürgens A, De Winter BY, et al. Epidermal growth factor and its influencing variables in healthy children and adults [Internet]. PLoS One. 2019 [31/10/2023];14(1):e0211212. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30677083/

29. Przepiera-Będzak H, Fischer K, Brzosko M. Serum levels of angiogenic cytokines in psoriatic arthritis and SAPHO syndrome [Internet]. Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2013 [31/10/2023];123(6):297-302. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23711571/

30. Serilmez M, Özgür E, Karaman S, Gezer U, Duranyıldız D. Detection of serum protein and circulating mRNA of cMET, HGF EGF and EGFR levels in lung cancer patients to guide individualized therapy [Internet]. Cancer Biomark. 2019 [31/10/2023];25(2):177-84. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31104010/

31. Perez-González I, Haslen Hassiul CL, Adriana CP, Monzon Kalet L. Measurement of serum EGF levels, a methodological approach: Learning what means "low-/high-concentration of EGF in serum". Some clinical implications [Internet].J Mol Biomark Diagn. 2017 [31/10/2023];08(03):1-8. Disponible en: https://www.europeanbionetwork.com/abstract/jm-bd/measurement-of-serum-egf-levels-a-methodol-ogical-approach-learning-what-means-8220lowhighconcentration-of-egf-in-serum82-37145.html

Downloads

Published

2025-06-14

How to Cite

1.
Pérez Hernández HJ, Saavedra Hernández D, Crombet Ramos T. Serum epidermal growth factor concentrations in healthy men. Rev Cubana Med Milit [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 14 [cited 2025 Sep. 16];54(2):e025074363. Available from: https://revmedmilitar.sld.cu/index.php/mil/article/view/74363

Issue

Vol. 54 No. 2 (2025): April - June

Section

Research Article

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Héctor José Pérez Hernández, Danay Saavedra Hernández, Tania Crombet Ramos

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Authors who have publications with this Journal accept the following terms:

  • The authors will retain their copyright and guarantee the Journal the right of first publication of their work, which will simultaneously be subject to the Creative Commons Attribution License. The content presented here can be shared, copied and redistributed in any medium or format; Can be adapted, remixed, transformed or created from the material, using the following terms: Attribution (giving appropriate credit to the work, providing a link to the license, and indicating if changes have been made); non-commercial (you cannot use the material for commercial purposes) and share-alike (if you remix, transform or create new material from this work, you can distribute your contribution as long as you use the same license as the original work).
  • The authors may adopt other non-exclusive license agreements for the distribution of the published version of the work (for example: depositing it in an institutional electronic archive or publishing it in a monographic volume) as long as the initial publication in this Journal is indicated.
  • Authors are allowed and recommended to disseminate their work through the Internet (e.g., in institutional electronic archives or on their website) before and during the submission process, which can produce interesting exchanges and increase citations. of the published work.